Dynafit Ridge Pro Backcountry Boot // The Scarpa F1 Killer?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks, Christof... Spending my money. You guys got me into the sport! See ya on a layover or in the mountains...

[@hoji3120]

Nice review, glad you are liking the boot 😊. One detail worth mentioning about the floating tongue system is that it features an additional soft inside tongue and the cable system pulls from the inside of the shell = foot hold/heel lock function is completely separate from the shape of the last/instep volume. In this way the cable system works in a different way than all the other winch cable systems that rely on trying to deform and compress the shell to create foot hold.

[@cnuila]

Couldn't have said it better myself, and I totally agree. This boot has a lot of secret sauce in it. Thanks for explaining that!

[@noborukawai9753]

Just got hold of this one and used on my last day of skiing in warm, very warm Zermatt. After more than a few weeks of continuous skiing, I developed issues with my little toe (using Hoji Free boots all the time). The Ridge Pro was for me an instant solution as my little toe did not feel any pressure in walking or skiing. Looking for more skiing and a lot of ski touring in Chile later with the boots.

[@afrh9042]

I'm glad to see you on this channel. You haven't done anything with Danny for a while now I was worried you guys are no longer friends. Please do something and upload to the main channel 🫡

[@cnuila]

Just life happening fast these days. Four teenage daughters and a real job lol. We’ve been getting out regularly here at home just didn’t get out on some of the episode trips last year.

[@19todd87]

@cnuila I’d love to see some videos of your local adventures too if you guys would be willing to film them Please keep the content coming

[@TheWillRogers]

The second I saw it, I knew Christof would be at the top of the preorder list for the Ridge Pro lol. It really does seem like a great boot.

[@cnuila]

You know I can’t pass up a chance to churn some gear 😅

[@Biggie_Johns_Son-v3i]

EXCELLENT review- all meat, no fluff.

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

Keep up the great work. Hopefully soon I'll be back in Utah and can afford a nice set of boots like that. 😎

[@BearPlane747]

When's the next MA video? It's Been MONTHS. This is the closest we've gotten to a ma video lol. Great review btw, would consider these but their price is steep af.

[@milco8755]

Danny released a members only MA update video 6 days ago. He's still alive!

[@rishabh.patel10]

Haven’t seen Matt on any of the videos :(

[@eyeninja3043]

@@milco8755members where? Patreon?

[@milco8755]

@@eyeninja3043 KZbin

[@milco8755]

@@eyeninja3043the KZbin channel membership

[@francescodevittori6179]

@cnuila great review, thank you! What is the awesome orange/gray base layer and vest you are wearing at 8:50? You are really setting a high bar on style!

[@cnuila]

I believe that is the dynafit radical infinium hybrid jacket

[@tjb8841]

So true about overly light liners. You need firm foam for support, you need durability, you need warmth. All those things are going to add a little weight. saving that wirght is not the right place to do it.

[@mikkoluokkamaki7163]

Thank you for a review! I would like to ask about flex in downhill mode. I bought Dynafit tlt x and was dissapointed about the liner and flex. Liner is just weak and there’s way too much flex when skiing down. So how does that flex compare to your scarpa f1? I’ve skied that boot now 5 years and just love it! New scarpa f1 may have a same problem with a flex cause There’s no plastic tongue.

[@cnuila]

The flex is stiffer tan the TLT X for sure, and it makes sense, this boot is slotted between the TLT and the Radical in terms of weight and performance. The Ridge flex is both stiffer and more even and progressive than the F1. Compared to the F1 XT, it is much stiffer and stronger. The F1 XT as you mentioned does not have a tongue, and is like 100g+ lighter than the Ridge.

[@ethanayer6713]

I'd really like to know how it skis compared to the Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120 and new Tecnica Zero G Pro Tour, although I figure you can't fit into the latter. I think wider skis (and not Utah powder) are the real test for midweight boots.

[@Tretharthios]

Also curious. Surprised there was no mention of the Backland XTD. Would think its wide enough and similar enough.

[@cnuila]

We shot a review of the XTD at the same time but it will take Danny another day or two to get it out. What I know now is: the XTD is 100 grams heavier, flexes a little softer in my opinion, but is a better match for wide powder skis, say, over 110mm underfoot (that extra mass gives you just a bit more control). Anything narrower than that you will be losing nothing going with the Ridge Pro IMO. I need to get more skiing on the Ridge with a little wider/heavier skis. I’m still curious if I really am getting more out of the XTD on my powder setup or if it’s just in my head.

[@carterhudson2306]

@@cnuilato that point, could you see this boot having enough beef for a 1700 gram, 108 waisted ski? How close is this in regards to downhill performance to the radical pro? Noticeable step down or just splitting hairs?

[@cnuila]

@@carterhudson2306 I’ve skied the Ridge with a 1450g 104mm waisted ski a bunch and it’s a great match, and you wouldn’t gain much by going with the radical. On a 1700 gram ski, now we’re getting into the arena where you will definitely notice a benefit with the Radical over the Ridge, more than just splitting hairs. I think the Ridge could be happily paired with a lighter powder ski like a Voile Hyper V8 or even DPS Pagoda Tour 112, but heavier than that might a little under-gunned. Then again, it also depends on how aggressive you’re expecting to ski, style, etc.

[@mrpermoberg]

@@cnuila have you tried it with the Helio 104 from BD?

[@kylejohnson8043]

I don't think the F1 and the Ridge are that comparable. Sure, from a weight/class perspective they are... But from a stance perspective, the F1 has a ridiculous (for me) 20/22 degrees of forward lean. The Ridge is 12/15, as are most other modern touring boots. Anatomically, I'm not convinced that one person can be at their ideal stance in both boots. And I think stuffing 10 degrees of spoiler behind a ridge to get F1 stance could get weird. Stance is as big of a deal as fit, IMO, and these two aren't very comparable.

[@cnuila]

I see it this way: The Ridge Pro allows you to really flex INTO the stiffness of the boot over a wider range of degrees, it's flex not being dictated to some degree by a metal bar on the outside of the boot like the F1. I think in my real world skiing, I end up in the same place at the apex of a turn in the Ridge as I do in the F1 but in the F1 I just started closer to that point from the beginning and had less range of flex, if that makes sense. I totally prefer the upright stance of the Ridge, as with most of my ski boots, even resort boots, as it gives me a better starting point to drive into the flex of the boot (except for my stiffest race stock alpine boots which have a very aggressive stance as I can barely get those to move lol). So I think it really just depends on your skiing and how much you're really working the boot. I think the only way to say that the spec number being a deal killer is if you don't flex the boot at all when you ski and are locked into that stance. IMO most modern touring boots are more upright like you say because they are really soft (compared to ski boots in general) and if they had any more forward lean you'd touch your shin to your toes while skiing😁. I'd guess that in a lot of 15 deg fwd lean boots you actually are closer to 20 when you are moving around with skis on. Different boots with the same forward lean can ski very very different so stance is just one piece of a big puzzle. I also think the F1 was such a good boot in it's time due to the fact that it had that aggressive stance and flexed juuuust progressively enough through it's limited range with the help of the lightweight tongue to really ski well. So I'll stand by the comparison, but also highlight my semi-definitive verdict: the Ridge Pro is the new leader in the category.

[@danieljakowski7799]

I do not believe the F1 lean stats. Doesn't feel more forward than the competition at all, on shop floor. Certainly not 20/23 degrees.

[@aka9photography]

Those things sure do look light & nimble

[@thorstenreitz7302]

Hm, very interesting. Christof, did you already try it with crampons? If yes, how did it feel? I do plan to get a new boot for a bit of Haute Route-ing and 4.000er alpine peaks action where I might have to climb a couple of hours in the boots with crampons on. Will definitely try whether it's a fit, I am cursed with a very wide forefoot.

[@cnuila]

I have not used crampons with the Ridge Pros, but for ME, if I’m talking about climbing in crampons for hours, I’m taking my F1 XT. The better articulation not having a tongue and lighter weight would tip the scales (again, for ME). I’m sure the Ridge would do fine, it’s just a matter of if what your’e skiing at the end of your climb warrants the stronger boot or if you want something that feels a bit more mountaineering boot like for better climbing confidence/speed/etc.

[@jnovin]

How do you experience Ridge Pro flex during real use? Does it stiffen up in the cold? Does it soften up over time? This boots fits my low instep foot very well. The ROM is crazy good. But, I am concerned it is actually too stiff for light skis. In room temp testing it feels stiffer than my S/Max 130s, Atomix XTD 130s, and Vanguard 130s.

[@cnuila]

It's pretty stiff, but i wouldn't say overly stiff. I would definitely say it LESS than the atomic xtd 130 and vanguard

[@perBjörklund-w1v]

Do you have some input regards forefoot fit Dynafit ridge vs salomon s/lab? I’m looking for a touringboot with the most ”toe freedom”

[@cnuila]

I would say the s/lab has the roomier toe box

[@Matthias-gd9is]

I love my Radical Pro. Unfortunately the Hoji Lock mechanism is cutting into all of my liners. This is really annoying. Has the liner of the Ridge boot any kind of protection at the area of the Hoji Lock mechanism?

[@cnuila]

Hoji himself mentions in one of the intro videos that they fixed the cuff inside to help with the liner interface, so it has been addressed at some level, but time will tell how much of a difference it will make. I haven’t had too much adverse wear in my Radical Pros, but they are probably the boots I ski least often during the season

[@hoji3120]

Yes the Hoji Lock has been optimized so that the inside element the “Spoiler” moves completely outside the last of the boot and no longer touches/ the liner. This not only solves the liner wear issue it allows for more volume in the cuff when the boot is in walk mode = looser cuff/more freedom of movement. 👊

[@carterhudson2306]

Curious what you have to say about these as far as length sizing goes. All I’ve read states they run short. I’m in a 26.5 radical pro, would you recommend the same size in these or bumping up to a 27.5?

[@cnuila]

I ski both in 26.5 and feel like length is identical (both just a hair shorter than some other 26.5 boots I’ve had)

[@Lag10]

⁠@cnulia any initial impressions on the the Hagan Ultra 89 that looks like it made its way to Japan?

[@cnuila]

Loved them. It's a lighter higher performing Hagan Core 89. I also see it as an even better skiing Movement Alp Tracks.

[@Biker5252]

I have Radical Pro and wonder how much better the uphill performance is? The downhill performance is kind of same or isn’t?

[@cnuila]

Uphill is a noticeable improvement over the Radical Pro, downhill performance a noticeable level down from the Radical Pro. I have both, and will keep both. I see both as leaders in their category but not really overlapping. I think Dynafit has nailed the distinction of priorities with the TLT X, Ridge Pro, and Radical.

[@benc.8103]

Welcome back Christof. I’ve started doing some inbound touring and have absolutely loved it. Next step is out. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[@cnuila]

You’re welcome!

[@Matthias-gd9is]

How does the flex/stiffness of the Ridge compare to that of the Salomon Summit SLab?

[@cnuila]

The ridge is definitely one notch up stronger in flex and stiffness

[@jeremys6631]

Im just here for these guys. I dont even ski 😁

[@Skulltech75]

How does this boot compare to the atomic backland carbon? I have the feel my backlands dont drive the ski that well in horrble conditions (it is heatmolded and fits perfectly)

[@cnuila]

If you’re talking about the Backland Carbon (not the new Backland XTD), then you are correct. The Ridge is in a totally different category of performance (and weight if I remember correctly) and skis sooooo much stronger than the Backlands. The Backland Carbons are really soft flexing and all the feedback I’ve ever gotten from friends in them is exactly what you described i.e. feel great, walk great, ski horrible.

[@Skulltech75]

@@cnuila Thanks! Is there anything you would recommend as standard ski boot? I got into skiing (and touring) two years ago. This is what they recommended. Since I improved a lot (I started at zero), I now start to feel how weak those boots are, despite the 110 flex. What would be a good middle mode boot for narrow feet (especially a narrow heel)?

[@maxwright4387]

im in the travers cs. im looking for light and nimble boot with short bsl that can ski a lot harder. how would this compare? I didn't catch MA comparing the F1 to the travers but I have heard you talking about the F1 a bunch. the f1lt didn't fit me as well as the travers. thanks for sharing!

[@johannorberg4174]

I also have the traverse and radical pros. I suspect this would be much more close in downhill to the radical. The hoji just makes for a much stiffer locking since you get much more material contacting each other. But I doubt it will anywhere near in terms of walking freedom, the traverse is almost as a xc boot lol

[@cnuila]

If you’re looking for the same category boot as the Traverse, my top recommendation would be the Scarpa F1 XT but you did say the F1 LT didn’t fit as well and the XT is pretty identical. Both Danny and I skied the Traverse when it was newish and it set a new bar at the time but I really think it has been surpassed by the F1 XT, Technica Peak, and maybe some others. The Ridge would be hands down a stronger boot, not even close as the Hoji lock combined with a tongue makes for a vastly different feel, but your’e looking at 100+ grams heavier. It walks outstanding, but still not as well as the traverse or F1LT/XT as those boots do not have tongues. So if you must stay closer to 1100g vs the 1250 of the Ridge, Maybe look at the Zero G Peak Carbon, or even the Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit. You could ski all those harder than the Travers. With the fit of the F1 LT/XT, keep in mind that those scarpa liners really mold well and adapt to different footshapes if you take the time to have them professionally fitted.

[@maxwright4387]

@@cnuila thanks! I would definitely like to get my mitts on the ridge pro. radical pro just seems too clunky for most of the terrain I am in, I'll carry my downhill boots up if I need that powerful of a boot. 1250g is fine. I am a smaller guy with big feet so that's why a shorter bsl is extra important. and I ski on mt washington nh so there's a ton of walking and hiking. I actually have my boots on my back a lot of the time in spring. cheers. thanks for sharing this stuff!

[@jeffzhang4384]

what happened with Matt?

[@cicerio5693]

Christof traded his organs for new skis

[@TheFLilk]

How much worse than the radical pro does it ski?

[@cnuila]

I don’t really think of it as “worse” just in a different category. I’d almost say it has a very similar feel, might even be as stiff, but in a 250gm lighter package. The mass of the Radical really makes a difference depending on what/how your’e trying to ski. So it really comes down to application. Are you trying to drive some really wide skis or a “side country” weight ski? I don’t know if it will have quite the power you need, and the Radical would work much better. But I think it skis as “good/strong” or better than any boot on the market of similar weight class. I don’t know if that answers your question, but yes, you gain something with the extra mass of the Radical and it is noticeable, but also you are not losing any more than what you would expect in the Ridge at a substantially lower weight and better walking articulation, and depending on your setup and how you ski, might not feel like you’re giving up much at all.

[@krisztian007]

I think you should start or supplement with a bike version of the Extra Mediocre channel Christof. With your attention to detail there would be plenty to talk about... Velo Mediocre! The hard part will be convincing Danny, he will likely delete this message and growl and curse me for my unsolicited input. But after a Coke and Twinkie he will calm down and realize that it just might be a good idea.....😀

[@matousmaier2871]

well there is a reason hoji;s nickname is the boss

[@Benzknees]

Surely the Tecnica Zero G Pro knocks everything else out of the park? The only proper four buckle boot in a world of plastic/fabric straps. Okay, maybe the liner leaves something to be desired, but that's soon sorted with an Intuition one.

[@cnuila]

Well, yeah if you’re talking about downhill ski performance, of course it does. Four buckle overlap boot. But the Zero G Pro isn’t competing with a boot like the Ridge which comes in 100 grams lighter, has better articulation in walk mode, and far greater ease of use. The Zero G Pro definitely sets the bar in alpine style touring boots, and there’s some backcountry skiers that demand that performance in their activities, but I think most skiers trying to lean a little left of center toward the lighter/quicker side of touring would take the Ridge. Again, not saying it’s a better boot, just a different set of priorities and different genre.

[@Benzknees]

@@cnuila - In the real world how much would we notice 100g or the difference between 55° & 70°? What's the average ankle bend? If these stats were indeed critical, then perhaps we should be looking towards the Zero G Peak Carbon, saving ~600g on the Dynafit, with another 5° of articulation. But I suspect even the most ardent tourer will very much miss a 4 buckle boot on the way down, especially if trying to drive modern day carbon stringered big planks.

[@cnuila]

⁠@@Benzkneesthat’s 100g per boot and for me that’s right where I feel like a boot seems “heavier” than another. As far as degrees of articulation, that’s a pretty big difference. Real worldd what that translates to is not the range of what your ankle can bend, but how “ friction free” the walk mode is. You will start to feel resistance in the Zero G Pro at the ends of the travel compared to the Ridge (I’ve worn both and can attest to that). That translates to efficiency and speed. Now throwing the Zero G Peak in there, again, we’re talking about a totally different category of touring boot. It should and will articulate even better as it doesn’t have a tongue but will ski vastly different as well. I’m not trying to say the Ridge is “better” than either one, it will just give you different advantages vs either one. I’d say SOME skiers would just take the Zero G Pro for the downhill and accept all the sacrifices, but many just don’t need or want to use a four buckle boot in the backcountry most of the time, and will prioritize mobility and efficiency (like me, and I consider myself a pretty “Ardent” tourer). The best plan is to do what I do, have all three and just choose what works best for the day and ski😂

[@tjb8841]

@@Benzknees the small differences of claimed range of motion do not come anywhere near the huge difference in feeling and ease of use. The ZGTP might claim good range of motion, but in reality, there is a ton of resistance to motion, almost from the get go. And to even get that, you have to completely open up all the buckles. Doing that means your feet are flopping around inside the boot, leading to loss of control and more chance of blisters. And, it means every transition is a ton of work. Again, like @cnuila says, it’s not a bad boot, it’s just aimed at a far DH end of the spectrum of needs and compromises, with the one exception being it’s weight.

[@Benzknees]

@@tjb8841 - Not sure what you mean about slop. You keep the clog buckles buckled. And all touring boots loosen the cuff buckles to achieve most of the freedom to pivot the leg. If you want performance you go for a 4 buckle, with some slight compromises. If you want ultra light you go for something like the other Tecnica one I mentioned above. I can't see the point of ones inbetween, that neither offer the performance of a slightly heavier boot, or the much lighter weight of a full on touring boot.